Change of Citizenship

The Constitution of India does not permit holding of dual nationality by Indian nationals. As and when an Indian national obtains a foreign nationality, he/she is not entitled to retain his/her Indian Passports and has to surrender their passports at the time of acquiring another nationality.

Renunciation of Indian nationality is irrevocable and due care must be exercised in making an application. Applications are to be made to the High Commission's authorised outsourced agents. You will also be required to be interviewed at the High Commission. Submit your request on the prescribed form for renunciation of your Indian citizenship with the agents, together with your passport and a copy of the letter from the Singapore authorities stating that you have been offered Singapore citizenship. Please bring the original letter from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority for verification. Minors acquiring Singapore Passports also have to cancel their Indian Passports. Indian nationals acquiring citizenship from countries other than Singapore have to bring their passport for cancellation with documentary proof for acquisition of citizenship of the respective country.

Your request will be processed in five working days inclusive of interview in the High Commission. You will then be given a letter stating that your Indian passport has been cancelled and that you are no longer an Indian citizen. Your cancelled passport will also be returned to you so that you can get any relevant visas transferred on to your Singapore passport from the respective embassies.

On acquisition of foreign citizenship all Indian nationals should surrender the passport (if acquired before 31/05/2010) or renounce citizenship (after 31/05/2010).

Minors who have acquired citizenship (including Certificate of Citizenship) must surrender their passport (if acquired before 31/05/2010) or renounce citizenship (if acquired after 31/05/2010).

Penalty would be imposed if a person (including a minor) after acquisition of foreign nationality retains the Indian passport beyond three years or travels on it beyond the grace period of three months, on a passport whose final validity expired on or after 01/01/2005.

Fines would be imposed at the following rates:

Retention of the Indian passport beyond the grace period - Rs. 10,000/- (equivalent in local currency),

For each travel - Rs 10,000 (equivalent in local currency) subject to a maximum of 5 travels,

If the Indian passport got re-issued (after obtaining foreign citizenship/passport), an additional fine of Rs 25,000/- (equivalent in local currency) would be charged.